In 2009, Ian McLeod finished a distant fourth in the North Vancouver-Lonsdale riding with just over four per cent of the vote. He's hoping for significantly better results this time in his home riding of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.
McLeod, a member of the operations staff for the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch and shop steward for the B.C. Government Employees Union, on Monday (April 16) said he's far better prepared to run for the B.C. Conservative Party in the May 14 provincial election. He also thinks the party is better prepared, and led.
I think I'll do better this time because we have more solid leadership than we did under [then-leader] Wilf Hanni, he said, referring to current party leader John Cummins. Last election we only ran 24 candidates and this time we've got about 50 and there are about 20 more in the pipeline.
On Friday (April 12), McLeod was acclaimed as the Conservatives' candidate in the riding that includes Squamish. He's running against Pemberton Mayor Jordan Sturdy, who is running for the B.C. Liberals, and Squamish resident Ana Santos of the B.C. New Democratic Party for the right to replace retiring MLA Joan McIntyre as the corridor's representative in Victoria.
McLeod said he's offering his services as the candidate who, if elected, will put constituents first, above the needs of the party, so if the constituents wanted things to be one way, I would vote for what the constituents want.
He said he's also the only candidate in the race who favours smaller government and lower taxes.
I think the NDP has got a strong candidate and the Liberals have the mayor of Pemberton, but it's really me, the only conservative in the riding, against two liberal candidates, the West Vancouver resident said.
I'm the only one who's running who is in favour of cutting taxes and smaller government. There's very little difference between the NDP and the Liberals.
Sea to Sky Community Services and the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, with support from The Chief and the Howe Sound Secondary School debate club, are organizing an all-candidates' forum on Thursday, May 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Eagle Eye Theatre. Admission is free.
Jeff Cooke, who narrowly missed earning a seat on Squamish council in the 2011 municipal election, will serve as moderator. The candidates will be asked for their thoughts on the role of the non-profit sector, the role of government in supporting business interests, and everything in between, organizers say. Admission is free.
The Chief is also working to query the candidates for their positions on the pressing issues of the 2013 campaign. For full coverage, please see the April 25, May 2 and May 9 editions of the newspaper, or visit www.squamishchief.com
